Guide Now walk the land my son, and pace your path from signpost trees to yonder sunrise. Sail from sandling shores and on, to ways where only winds may tarry. This world encircle twice in steps and thrice in wonder. No road refuse or sea leave bare, and go to hear the mountains call and deserts sing. Go to meet your stranger self in distant lands, and when they’re known, and scars are pale, then think of here and turn for home. Come at last to lands seen new, and take paths

Ern I did not like cats, for I did not know cats. Then I met this rumbling diesel-powered shadow. All eyes and vibrations, attached to some teeth. He won’t say we’re friends, that would be pushing it. He tolerates my being, when he greets me at all. He’ll stretch out a paw, like a caesar of old, or yowl out a curse and retreat to his throne. His throne is my chair, and now I have moved, for he gets what he wants and he’s sitting there. He gives me the eye, as if to enquire, s

Plans Tomorrow we’ll see the world, and today we’ll pack our bags. We’ll check the weather, and empty our pockets, for what if it rains? What if it’s cold? I haven’t packed gloves, your boots are all worn, and we just aren’t prepared. What about Wednesday, if tomorrow won’t work? We’ll order it all, and wait for it here. No, today it must be, you’ll just have to trust or possibly forgive me. Out we will go, come rain or come shine, for I’ll still be yours, and you’ll still be

The station Partings and greetings, laughter and longing, it's nobody's home, and yet it's always thronging. There's friends who shout curses, and foes who yell praises, standing beside skull faces grim reapers who meet you with daisies. Here it all happens, and there it's all known. This last stop you'll see on your journey home.

Sunday's I'm gaming inexpertly, all hands and no thumbs. She's four blankets deep, asleep with a dragon. The air is warm with lamplight. She sniffles, the nest shifting, a hand appears, is clasped, and fetches a smile. It's Sunday and it's late, endings are catching trains, but not for now, minutes are forever yet.